Enjoy the Show! _______________________ I Believe all media should be enjoyed ______________________ So here is a classic! _______________________ Title: Dixiana Director: Luther Reed Producers: William LeBaron Screenwriters: Anne Caldwell (story), Luther Reed (script) Cinematography: J. Roy Hunt Music: Harry Tierney (composer), Victor Baravalle (music direction), Max Steiner (orchestration) Editing: Not specified Studio: RKO Radio Pictures Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes Language: English Country of Origin: United States Format: Black and White with Technicolor sequences Sound: Mono Release Date: August 1930 Status: Public Domain Genres: Musical, Comedy, Romance, Pre-Code Cinema, Historical Drama --- Cast: Bebe Daniels as Dixiana Caldwell Everett Marshall as Carl Van Horn Bert Wheeler as Peewee Robert Woolsey as Ginger Dandy Joseph Cawthorn as Cornelius Van Horn Jobyna Howland as Mrs. Birdie Van Horn Dorothy Lee as Nanny Ralf Harolde as Royal Montague Bill "Bojangles" Robinson as Specialty Dancer Eugene Jackson as Cupid Raymond Maurel as Cayetano Bruce Covington as Colonel --- Synopsis: Set in antebellum New Orleans, Dixiana follows the story of Dixiana Caldwell, a captivating singer and dancer at the Cayetano Circus Theatre. She falls in love with Carl Van Horn, the son of a wealthy Southern family, and agrees to leave her circus life behind to marry him. Accompanied by her loyal friends Peewee and Ginger, Dixiana visits Carl's family plantation. Initially welcomed, the revelation of her circus background leads to scandal and rejection by Carl's stepmother, Mrs. Birdie Van Horn. Dixiana returns to New Orleans, seeking employment at her former theater but ends up working at a gambling hall run by the unscrupulous Royal Montague, who has his own designs on her. The story culminates during Mardi Gras, where Dixiana is crowned queen, leading to a dramatic confrontation that tests love and loyalty. --- Production Notes: Technicolor Finale: The film features a lavish twenty-minute Technicolor sequence during the Mardi Gras celebration, showcasing early color filmmaking techniques. Set Design: RKO invested approximately $100,000 in period-accurate furniture to authentically depict the Southern plantation setting. Music: This film marks the first screen credit for renowned composer Max Steiner, who provided orchestration. --- Themes & Analysis: Class and Social Status: The film explores the tensions between different social classes, particularly the stigma associated with performers in high society. Love and Sacrifice: Dixiana's willingness to abandon her career for love highlights themes of personal sacrifice and the pursuit of happiness. Cultural Representation: The inclusion of Mardi Gras festivities and Southern settings provides a backdrop rich in cultural significance. --- Reception & Legacy: Box Office: Despite high expectations following the success of Rio Rita, Dixiana underperformed, leading RKO to cancel planned sequels. Critical Response: Reviews were mixed; while the musical numbers and performances were praised, the storyline was considered weak. Public Domain Status: The film entered the public domain in 1958 due to RKO's failure to renew its copyright. Preservation: Technicolor sequences were thought lost but were rediscovered in 1988 and included in restored versions. --- Trivia: Bill Robinson's Debut: The film features the screen debut of legendary tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Wheeler & Woolsey: This was the third film featuring the comedy duo, though they were not yet officially billed as a team. Historical Context: Dixiana is an example of pre-Code Hollywood, produced before the enforcement of the Hays Code censorship guidelines. _______________________ Thank you for watching — feel free to like, comment, and subscribe for more classic movies and other content that might be of interest. _______________________ #PublicDomain #PublicDomainMovies #ClassicMovies #FreeMovies #VintageMovies #RetroCinema #OldMovies #FullMovie #MovieNight #FreeToWatch #ClassicCinema #MovieLovers #CinemaHistory #FilmHistory #TimelessMovies #MustWatch #OldSchoolCinema #CultClassic #HiddenGems #NowPlaying #GoldenAgeOfCinema #MoviesOnline #WatchFree #ClassicHollywood #RetroMovies #PublicDomainFilm #FreeFilm #ClassicEntertainment #WatchNow #StreamingFree #MovieArchive #HistoricCinema #LegendaryMovies #FilmBuff #MovieBuff #IndependentCinema #ClassicAdventure #VintageFilm #OldSchoolMovies #ReliveTheClassics #PublicDomainCinema #TimelessClassics #CinematicTreasures #GoldenOldies #MovieClassics #RetroFilm #ClassicScreen #OldMovieNight #CinemaLovers